The Caribbean and The Hawaiian Islands are both in prep modes for impending weather systems bearing down on them this week.

Hurricane Flossie, shown above from NOAA pics taken this morning, should be a dangerous Category 2 hurricane this Tuesday afternoon, when she make her closest approach to the Big Island. Waves along the southeast coast of the Big Island of Hawaii could build to 12 feet by Tuesday morning, and rains of 10 inches of more could inundate the south part of the island.

Meanwhile, a system off the African coast is headed towards the Caribbean. Its too soon to tell where it will enter. But the Lesser Antilles and the BVI are on the short list for potential landfalls. If you are planning to be there 8/16-19, now is the time to make safety preparations.

I rely on three information sources to keep up with hurricane weather in the tropics. Dr Jeff Masters at Wunderground always offers in-depth looks at developing systems and David Jones at CaribWx, provide a level of local knowledge that I use when I’m in the Caribbean. I also tend to tune into StormCarib nearly every week, if for no other reason, than to read the ramblings of Miss Mermaid !

I’ll be heading back down to the BVI with a group of graduating SailTime Captains in the beginning of November, so I am hoping the islands get spared now and throughout this season.

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